by Gerard Benjamin
When around 100 people arrived at Merthyr Uniting Centre on Saturday, 22 June, they were greeted by the sight of a splendid Anniversary Cake and balloons spelling out “30”. Along with a cold drink and nibblies, this was the prelude to celebrating an important anniversary.
Denise Buckby, MC for the event, quipped that this meeting “took 30 years to prepare”. After recording apologies from around nine members/ committee persons (illness/travel), a videoed “Happy Anniversary” message from local MLA Grace Grace was played.
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Then, following a welcome from Councillor Vicki Howard, the meeting moved on to notices from Robert Allen (coming historical walks) then Stuart’s Movietone presentation which took us all the way back to the Royal Visit of 1954.
President Desley Garnett
President Desley Garnett explained that the new logo was yet to be finalised, and introduced the idea of the charter, an initiative (with its aims, objectives and principles) which will prepare us well for coming decade.s Who were the longest-standing members present? George Cowin had joined in the era when Maida Lilley was president, and Gertrude Zaklikowski has lived for 74 years in the district, 71 of those in the same house in Mark St. Holding the audience in rapt attention was the slideshow which Desley introduced. It outlined the achievements of 30 years, including the gift of more than 60 paintings of New Farm by Gladys Blundell, walking tours, the publication of books, and the installation of historical plaques at almost 20 locations.
David Hinchliffe
David Hinchliffe, painter and former local councillor for 25 years, is the esteemed founder of the society. He took the podium to point out that the peninsula once had many aboriginal trails, which became cow trails, and now they are car trails. “Every community needs its gathering place of history, since gathering history helps to shape the future,” he said. David paid tribute to those of the society who had gone before, in particular Beattie Dawson, his predecessor on the Council. David himself was an early resident of New Farm, and as a boy delivered The Telegraph on his paper round. When he announced an historical walk around the suburb, with Jan Power assisting, 150 people turned up.
“The legacy of that walk is You,” he said.
Virginia Balmain was on the very first committee in 1994, and “Walk,Talk, Eat,” was her theme. Back in the early days, the newsletter was all important, and Virginia showed a slide of the very first one, November 1994. It outlined heritage walks leaving from the library, a visit to the CSR refinery (then still operating), talks by Dr Ruth Kerr (RQHS) and architect Ron Baker, along with a dinner night at the New Farm Bowls Club (meal $5, drinks extra).
At this point, the formality of the occasion required the Cutting of the Anniversary Cake, and an official photo, all to the accompaniment of “Happy Birthday” .after this, Robert Allen introduced his panel of four long- time NF residents.
Bev Bergstrum, now in her nineties, had grown up at 106 Villiers St in the days when there was still empty land on the riverfront at Macquarie St. “We walked everywhere,” she said.
Bruna Burello-Day arrived with her parents from Italy as a child in 1959. As with Bev, she attended Holy Spirit School. Bruna is once more living in the same house in Byram St which her parents purchased in 1962.
Beryl Watson and her husband came to New Farm to help look after grandchildren, and to decide where on the coast to spend their retirement. “We didn’t get to the coast,” she said. “That was 24 years ago. I love it here and couldn’t imagine ever leaving.”
In closing, Grace Grace explained (via another video recorded with interviewer, Robert Allen) that her family had moved from St Paul’s Tce in Spring Hill to Merthyr Rd in 1972. “I’ve lived my whole life in the electorate,” she said.
Wrapping up the meeting, Councillor Vicki Howard offered more words of commendation before all were invited to move to the courtyard for an uber-sumptuous afternoon tea (including a slice of Anniversary Cake) which was complemented by the soothing sounds of the saxophone, courtesy of Elaine, Bev Bergstum’s daughter.